Figure skating pratice system

ABSTRACT

A figure skating practice system for practicing figure skating techniques within a non-ice environment. The figure skating practice system includes a plate structure having an upper plate and a lower plate, a bearing structure attached between the upper plate and the lower plate, and a gripping pad attached to an upper surface of the upper plate. A figure skater stands upon the gripping pad and then may rotate the upper plate with respect to the lower plate.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT

[0001] This application specifically references and incorporates by reference U.S. Disclosure Document No. 506424 filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Feb. 18, 2002.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] Not applicable to this application.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0003] Not applicable to this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] 1. Field of the Invention

[0005] The present invention relates generally to figure skating practice devices and more specifically it relates to a figure skating practice system for practicing figure skating techniques within a non-ice environment.

[0006] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0007] Examples of patented devices which may be related to the present invention include U.S. Pat. No. 4,109,909 to Csutor; U.S. Pat. No. 5,683,337 to Zetocha et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,256,127 to Yeh; U.S. Pat. No. 3,593,994 to Anbar; U.S. Pat. No. 3,834,693 to Poppenberger; U.S. Pat. No. 5,879,276 to Miller; U.S. Pat. No. 5,399,140 to Klippel; U.S. Pat. No. 4,291,873 to Lee et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 3,582,066 to Keryluk; U.S. Pat. No. 4,021,054 to Csutor; U.S. Pat. No. 5,358,463 to Fuentes.

[0008] While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they are not as suitable for practicing figure skating techniques within a non-ice environment. Conventional and patented devices do not provide adequate training for individuals upon a non-ice environment.

[0009] In these respects, the figure skating practice system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of practicing figure skating techniques within a non-ice environment.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of figure skating devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new figure skating practice system construction wherein the same can be utilized for practicing figure skating techniques within a non-ice environment.

[0011] The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new figure skating practice system that has many of the advantages of the practice devices mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new figure skating practice system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art practice devices, either alone or in any combination thereof.

[0012] To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a plate structure having an upper plate and a lower plate, a bearing structure attached between the upper plate and the lower plate, and a gripping pad attached to an upper surface of the upper plate. A figure skater stands upon the gripping pad and then may rotate the upper plate with respect to the lower plate.

[0013] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

[0014] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0015] A primary object of the present invention is to provide a figure skating practice system that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices.

[0016] A second object is to provide a figure skating practice system for practicing figure skating techniques within a non-ice environment.

[0017] Another object is to provide a figure skating practice system that may be utilized by figure skaters of various skill levels, sizes and ages.

[0018] An additional object is to provide a figure skating practice system that allows for the practice of figure skating maneuvers without wearing figure skates.

[0019] A further object is to provide a figure skating practice system that improves a figure skater's spinning, jumping, jump entry and balancing skills within a non-ice environment.

[0020] Another object is to provide a figure skating practice system that is comprised of a compact portable structure.

[0021] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention.

[0022] To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

[0024]FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of the present invention.

[0025]FIG. 2 is a top view of the present invention.

[0026]FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the present invention.

[0027]FIG. 4 is a side view of the present invention.

[0028]FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2.

[0029]FIG. 6 is a top view of the present invention with the upper plate rotated.

[0030]FIG. 7 is an upper perspective view of the present invention with respect to a storage bag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 through 7 illustrate a figure skating practice system 10, which comprises a plate structure 20 having an upper plate 22 and a lower plate 24, a bearing structure 30 attached between the upper plate 22 and the lower plate 24, and a gripping pad 40 attached to an upper surface of the upper plate 22. A figure skater stands upon the gripping pad 40 and then may rotate the upper plate 22 with respect to the lower plate 24.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 of the drawings, the plate structure 20 is comprised of an upper plate 22 and a lower plate 24. The upper plate 22 is comprised of a rigid material such as but not limited to metal, plastic or composite material. The upper plate 22 has a relatively flat structure as best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings. The upper plate 22 may have various shapes, however, the upper plate 22 is preferably comprised of a square shape with the corners rounded.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 6 and 7 of the drawings, the gripping pad 40 is attached to an upper surface of the upper plate 22 utilizing a conventional fastener such as but not limited to glue or adhesive. The gripping pad 40 may be comprised of any nonskid material such as but not limited to rubber or abrasive pad. The gripping pad 40 may have various shapes, however, the gripping pad 40 preferably has a shape similar to the shape of the upper plate 22 such as square as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 6 and 7 of the drawings. The gripping pad 40 may cover 52 the entire or a portion of the upper surface of the upper plate 22. If the gripping pad 40 covers less than the entire upper surface of the upper plate 22, the gripping pad 40 preferably is centrally positioned upon the upper plate 22 as best illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings.

[0034] The lower plate 24 is comprised of a rigid material such as but not limited to metal, plastic or composite material. The lower plate 24 has a relatively flat structure as best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings. The lower plate 24 may have various shapes, however, the lower plate 24 is preferably comprised of a square shape with the corners rounded.

[0035] A plurality of support pads 26 are preferably attached to the lower surface of the lower plate 24 for providing gripping of a ground surface during usage of the present invention. The support pads 26 are preferably comprised of a rubber material or other gripping material that provides gripping and cushioning during usage of the present invention.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5 of the drawings, a bearing structure 30 is attached concentrically between the upper plate 22 and the lower plate 24. The bearing structure 30 is comprised of a circular structure that allows for the rotation of the upper plate 22 upon the lower plate 24. The bearing structure 30 is comprised of an upper track 32 attached to a lower surface of the upper plate 22, a lower track 34 attached to an upper surface of the lower plate 24, and a plurality of ball bearings 36 positioned between the tracks 32, 34 to allow for free rotation of the upper plate 22 upon the lower plate 24. A plurality of fasteners 23 preferably secure the upper track 32 to the upper plate 22 and the lower track 34 to the lower plate 24 as shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings. The fasteners 23 are preferably comprised of a rivet structure, however, various other types of fasteners 23 may be utilized. The upper plate 22 preferably includes a plurality of recessed apertures 21 within that receive the fasteners 23 in a manner flush or below the upper surface of the upper plate 22 so as to prevent interference with the user positioning their foot upon the upper plate 22.

[0037]FIG. 7 illustrates a storage bag 50 for receiving and storing the present invention. The storage bag 50 preferably includes a cover 52 that allows for the retaining of the present invention within the storage bag 50 during non-use and transportation thereof.

[0038] In use, the figure skater positions the present invention upon the floor or a ground surface. The figure skater then positions one foot upon the gripping pad 40 in a standing position and lightly pushes off with the opposing foot thereby simulating spinning upon an ice surface. During the spinning of the figure skater upon the present invention, various routines may be performed such as but not limited to a rotating jump. When finished, the figure skater simply positions the present invention with the storage bag 50 for usage at a later time.

[0039] As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

[0040] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed to be within the expertise of those skilled in the art, and all equivalent structural variations and relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0041] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. Index of Elements for Figure Skating Practice System □ ENVIROMENTAL ELEMENTS □ 40. Gripping Pad □ □ 41. □ □ 42. □ □ 43. □ □ 44. □ □ 45. □ □ 46. □ □ 47. □ □ 48. □ □ 49. □ 10. Figure Skating Practice System □ 50. Storage Bag □ 11. □ 51. □ 12. □ 52. Cover □ 13. □ 53. □ 14. □ 54. □ 15. □ 55. □ 16. □ 56. □ 17. □ 57. □ 18. □ 58. □ 19. □ 59. □ 20. Plate Structure □ 60. □ 21. Recessed Apertures □ 61. □ 22. Upper Plate □ 62. □ 23. Fasteners □ 63. □ 24. Lower Plate □ 64. □ 25. □ 65. □ 26. Support Pads □ 66. □ 27. □ 67. □ 28. □ 68. □ 29. □ 69. □ 30. Bearing Structure □ 70. □ 31. □ 71. □ 32. □ 72. □ 33. □ 73. □ 34. Lower Track □ 74. □ 35. □ 75. □ 36. Ball Bearings □ 76. □ 37. □ 77. □ 38. □ 78. □ 39. □ 79. 

I claim:
 1. A figure skating practice system for allowing a figure skater to practice upon, comprising: a lower plate; an upper plate; and a bearing structure attached between said lower plate and said upper plate for allowing rotation of the upper plate upon said lower plate.
 2. The figure skating practice system of claim 1, wherein said bearing structure is comprised of a lower track, an upper track and a plurality of ball bearings between thereof.
 3. The figure skating practice system of claim 1, wherein said upper plate is concentric with said lower plate.
 4. The figure skating practice system of claim 1, including a plurality of support pads attached to a lower surface of said lower plate.
 5. The figure skating practice system of claim 4, wherein said plurality of support pads are comprised of a rubber material.
 6. The figure skating practice system of claim 1, including a storage bag.
 7. The figure skating practice system of claim 1, wherein said bearing structure is attached to said lower plate and said upper plate with a plurality of fasteners.
 8. The figure skating practice system of claim 7, wherein said upper plate includes a plurality of recessed apertures for receiving said plurality of fasteners secured to said upper plate.
 9. The figure skating practice system of claim 1, wherein said upper plate and said lower plate are comprised of a rigid metal.
 10. The figure skating practice system of claim 1, wherein said upper plate and said lower plate are comprised of a square structure with rounded corners.
 11. A figure skating practice system for allowing a figure skater to practice upon, comprising: a lower plate; an upper plate; a gripping pad attached to an upper surface of said upper plate; and a bearing structure attached between said lower plate and said upper plate for allowing rotation of the upper plate upon said lower plate.
 12. The figure skating practice system of claim 11, wherein said bearing structure is comprised of a lower track, an upper track and a plurality of ball bearings between thereof.
 13. The figure skating practice system of claim 11, wherein said upper plate is concentric with said lower plate.
 14. The figure skating practice system of claim 11, including a plurality of support pads attached to a lower surface of said lower plate.
 15. The figure skating practice system of claim 14, wherein said plurality of support pads are comprised of a rubber material.
 16. The figure skating practice system of claim 11, wherein said gripping pad is comprised of an abrasive pad.
 17. The figure skating practice system of claim 11, wherein said bearing structure is attached to said lower plate and said upper plate with a plurality of fasteners.
 18. The figure skating practice system of claim 17, wherein said upper plate includes a plurality of recessed apertures for receiving said plurality of fasteners secured to said upper plate.
 19. The figure skating practice system of claim 11, wherein said upper plate and said lower plate are comprised of a rigid metal.
 20. The figure skating practice system of claim 11, wherein said upper plate and said lower plate are comprised of a square structure with rounded corners. 